What you need to know about booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in York Region

Yorkregion.com
April 27, 2021
Kim Zarzour

Beginning Tuesday, April 27 at 8:30 a.m., York Region residents age 35 years and older in postal code L4H in the City of Vaughan, and pregnant individuals, will be able to book appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations.

That's in addition to residents aged 35 and older in five previously identified hot spots in Markham and Vaughan.

Combined with a new drive-through clinic in Stouffville and pharmacies administering to residents 40 and older, more residents can now access COVID-19 vaccines.

York Region residents who live in postal codes L4L, L6A, L4K, L4J (Vaughan) and L3S (Markham) and are over age 35 have been eligible for appointments since Apr. 20.

Anyone 60 and older (born in 1961 or earlier) who wants the COVID-19 vaccine may book an online appointment, as well as health care workers in the province's high, very high and highest priority groups who live or work in York Region and staff, essential caregivers and residents of congregate care (e.g. long-term residences). Visit York Region Public Health booking portal at york.ca/covid19

More groups eligible for vaccines -- including hot spots for younger age groups -- can be found here.

Select pharmacies and primary care settings are booking appointments for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for eligible people ages 40 or older.

Residents 40 and older can also book an appointment at the drive-through clinic at Soccer City in Stouffville. Vaccines are appointment only and are available by registering online at www.stouffvillemedicalcentre.ca/covid-19

You must have a valid Ontario health (OHIP) card, or other form of valid government-issued identification and have an appointment to get vaccinated at a participating pharmacy.

To book an appointment at a pharmacy closest to you, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations

As case numbers continue to rise York Region public health reminds residents the best vaccine is the first one offered to you. Everyone is encouraged to take whichever vaccine is available to them as soon as possible."As a result of no-shows and/or cancelled appointments, additional vaccine supply may become available and a small number of appointments may appear through the online booking systems. Residents are encouraged to check back often for appointments that may become available

Residents are asked to be patient as interest is expected to be high and the system was not designed for large volumes.

The region continues to experience a serious reduction in vaccine supply and will offer additional appointments as vaccine becomes available.

In order to ensure as many vaccines get into as many arms as possible, residents are asked to book only one appointment per person and to cancel any appointments they are not going to use.

The number of York Region residents who have been vaccinated is slowly increasing. As of Apr. 24, 378,115 vaccines have been administered locally.

Almost 90 per cent of those 80 years and older have had at least one dose, more than 87 per cent of those 75 to 79, 80 per cent of those 70-74, 73 per cent of those 65 to 69, almost 60 per cent of those 60 to 64, 40 per cent of those 55 to 59, 32 per cent of those 50 to 54, and 28 per cent of those 45 to 49 years of age.

Even after you have been vaccinated, health experts advise you to continue following public health safety measures (physical distancing, wear a mask and wash hands frequently.) While the vaccine is very effective at preventing infection or serious illness, there is still a chance you can contract the virus and it's not clear if you can transmit it.

The region was able to get a two-week head start on the rest of the province that opened its online booking portal and call centre Mar. 15.

“This is a very positive step forward," said Dr. Karim Kurji, York's medical officer of health. "We are moving aggressively to vaccinate as many as possible within the province’s identified priority populations as vaccine supply becomes available. We are being as nimble as we can using different delivery models depending on the supplies of vaccines and the groups we need to immunize.”

The region is still considering moving to the provincial booking portal and customer service line, said spokesperson Patrick Casey.

Residents will be given options for scheduling appointments as soon as they begin the booking process.

The region is using ActiveNet for booking appointments at Richmond Green and Georgina Ice Palace. Registering for these clinics requires two steps: first create an account, then select an appointment and follow the steps to confirm your date and time.

A family account feature allows family members to book appointments on behalf of others in the family. Each member needs to be added to the family account, registering one person at a time.

Cancel any appointments you do not intend to use.

Proof of age and residence will be required on the day you receive your vaccine. Residents are also asked to bring OHIP cards (health cards) if they have one.

Residents who are not able or comfortable booking an online appointment are encouraged to seek out a support person (caregiver, family member or friend) who can assist in booking this appointment on their behalf. Neighbours who know of seniors who might need help are urged to reach out, too.

There is a limited phone call centre available on the website to assist those who need help booking.

Those who require transportation assistance for vaccine appointments can contact YRT Mobility On-Request at 1-866-744-1119 to arrange a ride.

Translation services are available if needed.

Residents who are homebound and cannot attend a clinic may be assisted through the region's mobile outreach teams.

Another option for these individuals may be the drive-thru site at Canada’s Wonderland.

Drive-thru clinics will also be by appointment only.

Additional transportation services are offered by CHATS, CareFirst, Routes, Pinkcars.ca.

For a complete list of community transportation options, call 211 or visit 211central.ca

Walk-in appointments are not available and residents who visit a vaccination clinic without an appointment will be turned away.

For questions about eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, call Access York at 1-877-464-9675